Sprint to launch WiMAX in San Francisco, surrounding area next week

Coming in just a hair under its self-imposed deadline, Sprint is set to launch its WiMAX network in San Francisco and the surrounding area next week. Beginning December 28th, subscribers with WiMAX-enabled devices like the Sprint Overdrive and HTC EVO 4G will have access to Sprint’s 4G network in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Silicon Valley and other Bay Area cities. Sprint currently offers a $60 monthly plan for unlimited WiMAX service alongside its 4G laptop dongles or its Overdrive portable hotspot. Sprint’s 4G service is also available as part of a $10 enhanced data add-on with compatible smartphones.

I am curious to see if the coverage area actually increase’s. there has been very spotty 4G in the SF area for months now, I hope when they actually “flip the switch” we will actually see an increase.

Anonymous

YEAY!!!

Anonymous

actually these past two weeks i’ve been getting a 4G signal INSIDE my house (yeah, i was shocked too). it was only one bar, but it was still fast enough to tether my laptop and watch youtube videos without it stopping midway to buffer. sometimes i forgot i was using 4G, i actually thought i was using my comcast internet. hopefully when it fully launches i’ll can get a stronger signal, maybe even strong enough to power xbox live =D

Deval

Depending on the signal strength, if you get one of those desktop modems, you’ll probably get a better signal, which will work fine with the internet, but my personal experience with 4G (being in NYC), the latency is around 100-150ms ping, so keep that in mind when gaming. This is compared to my FiOS getting 11-15ms ping.